When buying a home, you should always enlist the services of a Home Inspector. This is a professional who conducts an inspection of the home you’ve decided to buy. He or she can identify actual or potential problems in the home and assist you in making an informed decision. Your Buyer’s agent can then address these problems with the seller.

Affording a home involves more than having enough money to cover the down payment, closing costs and monthly mortgage obligations. Maintaining the overall condition of the home while you live in it and the repairs or preventive measures needed to do so can be just as costly.

Please note, a home inspector is different from an appraiser. An appraiser gives a professional opinion of a home’s value, whereas an inspector makes a physical inspection of the premises, paying particular attention to the heating, air-conditioning, electrical systems, plumbing, roof, and so on.

Much like you would with any other professional, you may want to ask for a referral. Realtors, particularly buyer’s agents, have likely worked with home inspectors they would recommend. Regardless of how you find your home inspector, you would be wise to make sure he or she is a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors or a licensed civil engineer.

For more information on home inspections or to find a licensed inspector in your area, you can visit the American Society of Home Inspectors website HERE